TxDOT recommends speed reduction along busy Travis County road

MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- "I have close calls all the time," Arthur Werchan said as he pulled his truck to a stop sign. His 6-year-old son is strapped in his car seat in the back of the truck cab. It's a routine the two have every weekday morning as Werchan makes the three mile drive to his son's school.

Werchan's head is on a swivel at this intersection of Farm to Market Road 973. Those "close calls" he is talking about involve the morning traffic that speeds past him at 65-plus miles per hour.

"A big danger on that road is the speed limit is 65 miles per hour," Werchan explained. He is part of a group of Manor residents who are upset with unsafe driving conditions of FM 973 between US 290 and FM 1160.

Werchan describes driving behavior on the road as dangerous. He says there is a culture of drivers running red lights, driving on the shoulder, and hitting excessive speeds.

"I've actually seen people passing people, passing people -- like out in the grass," Werchan explained.

Werchan, who races cars in his free time, does not want to equate FM 973 to a racetrack. He says it's even worse.

"I would compare 973 to more like a crash derby," Werchan explained.

What does the data say?

According to a Crash Data Request from the Texas Department of Transportation, between 2020 and 2024 there have been three fatalities on FM 973 between US 290 and Steger Road. There have also been 15 suspected serious injuries and 48 suspected minor injuries due to crashes on that stretch of road, the report reads.

TxDOT officials said in March they were conducting a speed study in the area to see if speed limits need to be lowered. A spokesperson for the agency confirmed the speed study is complete, and TxDOT recommended the speed limit be reduced to 55 in the area just south of Tinajero Way to just north of Schmidt Loop.

The speed reduction will have to be approved by the Texas Transportation Commission. The spokesperson also added the agency was in the early stages of a proposed project to improve safety and mobility along FM 973.

There are no design plans in place yet, but the spokesperson said the project would widen the now two-lane roadway. TxDOT will be reaching out to the public for input next year.

Werchan has lived in Manor since 2016, and he has already seen major changes in the past eight years. Development in the area is sprouting up fast. A large apartment complex is currently being built right next to Werchan's son's elementary school, and housing developments are beginning to replace what was once farmland.

"They're still looking at it like this is farmland, but it's not. It's a residence. We need residential speed limits," Werchan explained. He also wants to see more police activity from the Manor Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff's Department.

KXAN spoke to the Manor Police Department in March this year. In an email to KXAN, Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps noted traffic issues on FM 973 have posed substantial concerns for area commuters and property owners. The Manor Police Department works with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the roadway, since some portions fall within Manor’s city limits while others lie in the county’s jurisdiction.

Where are the school speed zones?

The biggest issue Werchan has with the road is the lack of school speed zones. There are three different school campuses in a short stretch along FM 973 with zero school zones.

"I've never really been anywhere in Texas where there wasn't a school zone," Werchan said. He has raised concerns along with other parents at Manor Rise Academy.

A spokesperson with the Manor Independent School District told KXAN, "Safety is a top priority for Manor ISD, and we are aware of the concerns raised about FM 973, particularly near Manor Rise Academy. We are actively working with the local TxDOT traffic operations division to address these issues. This includes exploring options to enhance safety in the area, such as the potential addition of school speed zones within district property. We value the feedback from our parents and community, and we will continue collaborating with TxDOT to ensure the safety of our students and families remains a priority."

It is unclear if the proposed TxDOT safety enhancement project on FM 973 will include school zones into the design.